Injection of a medium into a filter segment

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for producing multi-segment filters for the tobacco processing industry, wherein filter rods or filter segments are delivered to a form a group of filter segments. The method includes introducing a medium into the filter rods or filter segments before the filter rods or filter segments are delivered to the formed group of filter segments. The invention also relates to a module of a multi-segment filter machine for the tobacco processing industry, wherein filter rods or filter segments can be delivered to form a group of filter segments. The invention further relates to a multi-segment filter machine for the tobacco processing industry.

The invention relates to a method for producing multi-segment filters inthe tobacco-processing industry, wherein filter segments are deliveredto a group of filter segments. The invention furthermore relates to amodule on a multi-segment filter maker in the tobacco-processingindustry, wherein filter segments can be delivered to a group of filtersegments, as well as to a multi-segment filter maker in thetobacco-processing industry.

A device for injecting flowable mediums into articles of smoking isdisclosed in German Patent DE-C-100 52 409. However, this device issuitable only for injecting mediums during the individual processing ofarticles for the test and laboratory operation. For this, an article ofsmoking and in particular a cigarette is transferred and enclosed insidea holder, wherein the holder is designed to rotate around thelongitudinal axis for introducing a medium, e.g. flavoring agents or aliquid flavoring, while the cigarette is rotating. The device disclosedin this reference can be used only for the individual processing ofarticles of smoking and is not suitable for use in the (mass) productionof smoking articles.

The tobacco-processing industry, however, has the desire to producemulti-segment filters, assembled with different filter segments that mayconsist of different types of materials, for example cellulose acetate,paper, non-woven, granulate, separate elements, hollow cylinder orhollow-chamber segments, capsules and the like. Multi-segment filters ofthis type, which for the purpose of this invention also include“multifilters,” are wrapped by means of the continuous-rod formingmethod with a wrapping material, for example paper, after the groups areformed and are then cut for the further processing into filter rods ofdouble the length, four times the length, or six times the length.

German Patent Application DE 101 55 292.0 discloses a device forassembling groups of filter segments for producing multi-segment filtersin the tobacco-processing industry, using a continuous rod-formingmethod, wherein at least two different types of filter segments areprovided for each multi-segment filter and wherein the device can bedivided into a plurality of independent operating units.

A greater variability in the multi-segment filter production isconsequently possible.

It is the object of the present invention to make available filtersegments for a multi-segment filter, which can be produced and packagedeasily and variably, while the apparatus expenditure is simultaneouslykept low.

This object is solved with the aforementioned method, which is furthermodified by introducing a medium into the filter segments before theyare delivered to the group of filter segments. During the continuousmulti-segment filter production, a substance is injected into the filtersegments which are then used in a following step for assembling amulti-segment filter. The injection of substances provides the filtersegments with specific and desired characteristics, so that the filtersegments can be adapted easily to the requirements for a multi-segmentfilter to be produced.

According to one alternative solution, this object is solved using theaforementioned method by initially introducing a medium into filter rodsand then, in a subsequent step, cutting the filter rods into filtersegments. In the process, the filter rods are removed from a magazine,e.g. a module, and are provided with a substance before they are cutinto several segments, wherein this process furthermore takes placeduring the continuous multi-segment filter production.

The medium is introduced in particular during the transport of thefilter rods or filter segments, especially on a conveying drum oroperating drum, thus preventing any interruption of the continuousfilter-production operation.

To permit a targeted injection of the substances into the filtersegments or filter rods, the filter rods or filter segments are held orsecured in place before the medium is introduced, thus preventing aslipping of the filter segments or filter rods.

According to a different advantageous embodiment, a predetermined amountof the medium is introduced into the filter rods or filter segments.Through a precise metering of the medium, the filter segments areproduced in such a way that they meet all requirements while anefficient use of the medium is simultaneously achieved. Substances suchas powdered activated carbon, vitamins, flavoring/ aromatic agents orzeolites, for example, are injected into the filter segments which mayconsist of cellulose acetate, polypropylene or paper.

Using an injection element, preferably a spray needle, for introducingthe medium into the filter segment or filter rod inside results in agood distribution of the substance inside the filter elements. Theinjection element can additionally be positioned precisely, such thatonly a specific region of a filter segment is admitted with the medium,for example by injecting a substance into a hollow space inside a filtersegment.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is suggestedthat the medium be introduced from the outside into the filter segmentor filter rods by means of an element, preferably a spray nozzle, insuch a way that only an edge region of the filter segment is providedwith the medium.

The wrapping material around filter elements is not damaged and remainsintact if the medium is introduced parallel to the longitudinal axialdirection of the filter segments or filter rods.

The medium is preferably injected into at least one hollow space,preferably in a multifilter segment or multifilter rod.

The object is furthermore solved with a module of the aforementionedtype, which is further modified to include a device for introducing amedium into the filter segments.

According to one alternative solution using the aforementioned module,it is proposed that a device for introducing a medium into filter rodsbe used, as well as a cutting device for cutting the filter rods intofilter segments.

According to one modified embodiment, the device in particular isdesigned to form a part of a conveying means, specifically of aconveying drum or operating drum.

One preferred embodiment comprises a holding element for the filter rodsor filter segments, designed to hold in place the filter rods or filtersegments before the medium is injected.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device isfurthermore provided with an element for introducing the medium,preferably a spray nozzle or a spray needle.

It is also advantageous if pressure can be exerted onto the injectionelement, preferably by means of a compressed-air source or a piston, toachieve a favorable distribution of the injected medium in the filtersegment. The use of a compressed-air source additionally results in agood mixing and swirling of the medium.

Furthermore advantageously provided is a metering device for injecting apredetermined amount of the medium into the filter segment.

The object is also solved according to the invention with amulti-segment filter maker in the tobacco-processing industry, saidmachine comprising a module according to the invention as described inthe above.

The invention is described in the following without restricting thegeneral inventive idea by using exemplary embodiments and referring tothe drawings, to which we otherwise expressly refer with respect to alldetails of the invention that are disclosed but not explained in thetext. Shown are in:

FIG. 1 A view from the front of a module for a multi-segment filtermaker;

FIGS. 2 a-2 f A schematic representation of the method steps forinjecting a filter segment;

FIGS. 3 a-3 f A schematic representation of the method steps fordirectly injecting a filter segment;

FIGS. 4 a-4 f A schematic representation of a different sequence ofmethod steps for injecting a medium into the hollow space of a filter.

In the following Figures, identical or corresponding elements are giventhe same reference numbers and will not be introduced again.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view from the front of a module 10 for amulti-segment filter maker. This module 10 is suitable for producingfilter segments according to the invention which are then processedtogether with other filter segments from other modules on themulti-segment filter maker to form multi-segment filters.

In the module 10, filter rods that are preferably made of an especiallylight-weight material such as cellulose acetate are removed by means ofa removal drum 12 from a filter magazine 11 and are subsequently cutseveral times with a knife 13 into multiple filter segments. The cutfilter segments are then separated on a separating drum 14 andtransferred to a cutting/sliding drum 15 on which the previously cutfilter segments are cut again and advanced. The filter segments aresubsequently transferred to the insertion/tumbling drum 16 whichtransfers the cut filter segments to an operating drum 18. According tothe invention, the filter segments are injected with at least one mediumwhile positioned on the operating drum 18. Following the injection of asubstance into the filter segments, the filter segments are transferredto a transporting drum 23. Additional filter segments are transferredfrom other modules on the multi-segment filter maker via transportingdrums 21, 22 to the transporting drum 23. The filter segments aresubsequently fitted together on a transporting drum 24.

According to one embodiment that is not shown herein, the filter rodsare injected with a medium immediately after being removed. The filterrods are then cut during subsequent steps into filter segments, suchthat the filter segments provided with a substance can be used forproducing multi-segment filters.

FIGS. 2 a to 2 f show the individual method steps A to F on theoperating drum 18 (see FIG. 1), wherein these are shown as schematiccross-sectional representations. The same applies to the additional,alternative method steps shown in FIGS. 3 a to 3 f as well as in FIGS. 4a to 4 f.

FIG. 2 a shows the transfer of a filter segment 1 from a cutting/slidingdrum 16 to the operating drum 18. The cutting/sliding drum 16 isprovided with suction bores 17 inside the receiving troughs in a furtherstep by means of which the filter segments 1 are held in place on thecutting/sliding drum 16. For the transfer of filter segments 1, thevacuum to the respective suction bores 17 is turned off, so that thefilter segment 1 is transferred to a receiving trough 28 in theoperating drum 18.

The operating drum 18 is furthermore provided on the side with a limitstop 29 which has a bore 30 in the region of the deposited filtersegment 1. A horizontally moving spray nozzle 2 is arranged on the sideof the receiving trough 28 and/or the filter segment 1. The spray nozzle2 comprises a channel 41 which empties into a nozzle head 42. Thediameter of nozzle head 42 essentially corresponds to the diameter ofthe bore 30 in the limit stop 29.

Following the insertion, the filter segment 1 is securely enclosed by afixing arm 4 inside the receiving trough 28 (FIG. 2 b), wherein thefixing arm 4 is preferably designed so as to pivot on the operating drum18. The fixing arm 4 furthermore has a limit stop 34 on the side, sothat the deposited filter segment 1 is held in place in a preciseposition.

During or following the securing of the filter segment 1, the spraynozzle 2 is advanced from the side against the filter segment 1 and aprecisely metered amount of a medium 3, introduced into the channel 41,is blown into the filter segment 1 (FIG. 2 c), wherein substances suchas zeolites, activated carbon, flavoring/aromatic agents or vitamins canbe used for the medium. The spray nozzle 2 is moved in a following step(FIG. 2 d) away from the filter segment 1 and the filter segment 1fixation is released in a further step (FIG. 2 e). The finished filtersegment 1 is then transferred to the transporting drum 23 (FIG. 2 f).

The method steps shown in FIGS. 3 a to 3 f are analog to the methodsteps shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 h, with the difference that a spray needle5 is used in place of the spray nozzle 2 (FIGS. 2 a to 2 f). The sprayneedle 5 comprises a channel 43 and a needle tip 44 which is insertedparallel to the longitudinal axial direction into the filter segment 1.Once the needle tip 44 enters into the filter segment 1, the medium isinjected into the filter segment 1. Within the framework of thisinvention, it is conceivable that the spray needle 5 can also beprovided with several needle tips or that the needle tip 44 hasadditional (side) discharge openings along the channel 44 to achieve auniform distribution of the substance inside the filter segment 1.

FIGS. 4 a to 4 f show a medium being introduced according to theinvention into a multifilter segment 7. The multifilter segment 7comprises outer plugs 71, with a hollow segment 72 disposed in-between.This hollow segment 72 of the multifilter segment. 7 is filled with asubstance by means of the spray needle 5. The spray needle 5 in thiscase is positioned with its needle tip 44 precisely inside the hollowsegment 72. Alternatively, hollow spaces in filter rods can also befilled in the same way with a medium.

According to a different modification of the invention, substances areinjected from both sides into the filter segments.

REFERENCE NUMBER LIST

-   1 filter segment-   2 spray nozzle-   3 medium-   4 fixing arm-   5 spray needle-   7 multifilter segment-   10 module-   11 filter magazine-   12. removal drum-   13 knife-   14 separating drum-   15 cutting/sliding drum-   16 insertion/tumbling drum-   17 suction bore-   18 operating drum-   21 transporting drum-   22 transporting drum-   23 transporting drum-   24 transporting drum-   28 receiving trough-   29 limit stop-   30 bore-   41 channel-   42 nozzle head-   43 channel-   44 needle tip-   71 plug-   72 hollow space

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A method for producing multi-segment filters in thetobacco-processing industry comprising: delivering filter rods or filtersegments to form a group of filter segments; and introducing a medium tothe filter rods or filter segments before completion of the deliveringstep.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step ofdelivering additional filter rods or filter segments to the formed groupof filter segments.
 20. The method according to claim 18, furthercomprising the step of cutting the filter rods into filter segmentsafter the injecting step.
 21. The method according to claim 18, whereinthe delivering step includes either: a) transporting the filter rods orfilter segments from a magazine to a module, or; b) transporting thefilter rods or filter segments from a magazine through a module; andintroducing the medium in the filter rods or filter segments during thetransporting step
 22. The method according to claim 18 wherein themedium is introduced to the filter rods or filter segments while thefilter rods or filter segments are positioned on a conveying drum oroperating drum.
 23. The method according to claim 18, wherein the filterrods or filter segments are held in place before the medium isintroduced.
 24. The method according to claim 18, wherein apredetermined amount of the medium is introduced.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein the medium is introduced by an elementfor injecting the filter rod or segment or by an element for providingthe medium to the outside of the filter rod or segment.
 26. The methodaccording to claim 25, wherein the element is an injection needle or aspray nozzle.
 27. The method according to claim 18, wherein the mediumis introduced parallel to the longitudinal axial direction of the filtersegments or the filter rods.
 28. The method according to claim 18,wherein the medium is introduced into at least one hollow space in amultifilter segment or a multifilter rod.
 29. A module for amulti-segment filter maker in the tobacco-processing industry, whereinfilter segments or filter rods can be delivered to form a group offilter segments and a device is provided for introducing a medium intothe filter segments or filter rods.
 30. The module of claim 29, whereinthe module comprises a device for introducing a medium into filter rodsor filter segments, and a cutting device for cutting the filter rodsinto filter segments.
 31. The module according to claim 29, wherein thedevice forms a part of a conveying means, said conveying meanscomprising a conveying drum or an operating drum.
 32. The moduleaccording to claim 29, wherein the module comprises a holding elementfor holding the filter rods or the filter segments against the operatingdrum.
 33. The module according to claim 29, wherein the device comprisesa spray nozzle or a spray needle for introducing the medium to thefilter rods or filter segments.
 34. The module according to claim 33,wherein the injection element is subjected to pressure by acompressed-air source or a piston.
 35. The module according to claim 29,wherein a metering device is provided for the medium.
 36. Amulti-segment filter maker in the tobacco-processing industry,comprising a the device of claim
 29. 37. The module of claim 29, whereinadditional filter rods or filter segments are delivered to the group offormed filter segments.